Graduation

6/2 with the DARE officer and police officers

After a week of testing March 14^th-17^th, the second year of Kindergarten and the 6^th grade had their graduation on March 18^th.

The day before teachers and students worked late into the night to decorate the meeting hall and create places for students to take pictures.

The morning of was a flurry of students and families taking pictures, and buying flowers to give the graduates. The Kindergarteners were busy putting on their caps and gowns that were rented from another school for the day.

pinning flowers on the students

The first thing on the agenda was DARE graduation. The last 5 or 6 years a police officer has been coming to the school and teaching DARE. It is pretty much the same as I learned DARE when I was in fifth grade. However, it has been adapted for students in Thailand. They had several officers come for the ceremony. They talked about the DARE project and why it’s important, then called ten people up to hand out the certificates. Each of the last three years I’ve been asked to help with this. I like to think it’s because I’m the only DARE graduate available, but really the officer is showing me respect and giving me honor by asking me. They also handed out prizes to students who had done a good job writing their final analysis of what they learned from the DARE teacher. Two students had perfect scores, and were given a special present, and they were asked to read what they had written to everyone. The school had a present to give the DARE officer, and they took group photos with each of the sixth grade classes.

the Kindergarteners in their gowns

After a ten minute break in which the teachers had to put on their graduation gowns and pin flowers on the sixth grade students, there was a procession to enter the meeting hall. The ceremony started with a prayer and message given by a local pastor. They then handed out the certificates for the Kindergarten. Thais are very serious in how you receive the certificate. There are marks on the floor to walk on, a place you need to bow, how you hold out your hand, where you step back, and another bow. They were cute as they tried to hard to remember each step. However, many were glad to have gotten through it, and after having received their certificate took too big of a bow and their cap fell to the floor, they grabbed it up and ran away embarrassed. After the Kindergarten was finished, they sang a song that they had prepared. Then it was the sixth graders turn to receive their certificates. After they received their certificates, three students gave speeches. One in Thai, one in English, and one in Karen. The sixth graders then all sang a song they had been practicing together. Certificates and prizes were given to 4 students for the best student, best grades, most improved, and best school helper. After a few other little things, a final prayer was given and the procession headed back out. Teachers and students were then busy taking pictures, and eating lunch together.

6th graders receiving their certificates

In past years I’ve always felt sad on graduation day. For many it would be the last day that I saw them before they went to another school. This year, that sadness wasn’t as prevalent as the school will be opening up 7^th grade next year, and most of the students will be returning. What a blessing it will be to have them study in a Christian atmosphere for another 3 years. Praise God that we will have the opportunity to continue to teach many of them.

giving her speech in English

some of the teachers in their gowns after the graduation ceremony

Retirement

Students did a Thai dance for the retired teachers

In Thailand they have a rule that says you must retire when you are 60 years old. In some places you can retire then ask for a year extension and renew each year, but from what I’ve seen most people hit 60 and are ready to retire. This year we had two teachers turn 60. So, on March 11^th we had a retirement ceremony for them. It started out with singing, and then a message from a local pastor. After that, the two teachers who were retiring sat on the stage and other teachers and student representatives came and poured water on their hands. I believe they were showing respect and washing away any hard feelings between them. My job was to sit next to the second teacher and get the cup from the person who had just finished pouring water and pass it behind the teachers so the next person could use it. After they poured water, each class had two students come up and give a present to each of the teachers that were retiring. After the students were finished, the teachers had a turn to give presents. I had made two apple cakes, and gave one to each of the teachers. After presents, each teacher had a chance to give a speech thanking the school, encouraging other teachers, whatever they wanted to say really. After they were finished, representatives from the students and school gave their thanks for their years of service to the school. They were each given gold necklaces and certificates of appreciation. After everything was finished, we took pictures together, and the teachers all ate noodles for lunch together. It was a wonderful little celebration to recognize and appreciate these two women who have served the school for many years.

The school is now accepting applications for three new teachers, two to replace the ones that are leaving, and one to help cover classes for the seventh grade next year.

 

Kru Sineenart giving her speech.

Kru Wachari giving her speech

Scout Camp

March 3rd-5th, the fourth-sixth graders as well as the teachers went out into the jungle for scout camp. Altogether, there were around 300 people that set up camp for the 3 days. A truck came

The truck filled with their things.

and picked up two big sacks for each group of 7-8 students and took it to the camp site. The students split into pairs(one group of girls and one of boys) and then had 4 different paths that they took to get to the camp. They had to use compasses and written directions to find their way to the campsite. Teachers were stationed along the way at two spots for each path to test the students knowledge and to give them a break. At the second stop they were to draw a picture of the things around them to notice the beauty of the area and take a break. The paths were at least 6-10 kilos each.

The first check point

When the students arrived at the campsite, they had signs up with their designated area for each group. Similar to finding your campsite back in the states. They then had 3 or 4 hours to set up camp, making a kitchen area complete with places to keep plates, silverware and pots, holes for wet and dry trash, sleeping area, places to hang clothes and shoes, etc... They were then given rice for the three days, as well as what was needed for that nights dinner and breakfast the next day. They were to make their own mea~ls, and cook their rice over an open fire. I was amazed at how well the students could do it, but then of course that is how most of them do it at home everyday and they have been watching people do it that way since birth.

gathering fire wood to cook with

In the evening they had an opening ceremony followed by singing and games, and then to get ready for bed.

The second day they woke up at 5 and had exercise at 5:30. Some were allowed to stay back and work on cooking breakfast. After breakfast they had campsite inspections, followed by an opening ceremony for the day. In the morning they had 4 rotations in which they learned about first aid skills, how to watch for dangerous weather patterns, how to tell if someone has been staying in an area, and how plants and trees are important to us and we need to take care of them.

opening ceremony

Then it was back to the campsites to make lunch, followed by 4 more rotations in the afternoon. The afternoon rotations were more interactive. At one they had to put their hands into two pots that had holes just for their hands to fit into. There were frogs in one and fish in the other. At the next rotation they had a zip line set up and three people from each group got to/had to go down it. At the next rotation they had a rope bridge of sorts set up between trees that they had to use to get across from one side to the other. The final rotation the leader of the group and one other person had to carry the rest of the group across the river without getting the group members wet. The afternoon was more about overcoming fears, teambuilding, etc...

zip line

When they were finished, it was back to the campsites for dinner preparation, and bathing in the river. As they made each meal, they were to send some of it to a teacher to be tasted and graded. This night they had a pumpkin dessert, so it was my job to judge the dessert as the other things were often spicy and I couldn't eat many of them the way the students made them. Overall the desserts were all really good, except one group that didn't wash the pan between things :( That one was just gross.

rope bridge

That evening they had a giant campfire, which started with an opening ceremony that had boys dressed in banana leaves and covered in black something. They ran around like crazies and had a certain dance/ritual to perform to light the campfire. That was followed by the girls dancing and then skits that 4 groups worked together to create. The skits were about problems students face, either at school, camping, teaching them to love and respect parents, etc...

getting all members of the group across the river

The next morning they were back at it at 5 am to prepare for exercise, make breakfast, and prepare for the camp inspections. After the camp inspections, they had a ceremony to hand out green flags for those that did a good job in preparing their campsites. My group was the only group of girls to get 40/40, but I can't brag because I didn't do much to help them. They mostly did it on their own. They then had the closing ceremony and it was back to the campsites to pick everything up. They had to take down everything they made, take down their tents, pack their sacks to go back on the truck, and make things look normal. They then lined back up and were released by where they live. Some were picked up by parents, while others were taken on trucks to their children's homes, or a central point they could easily walk home from.

Overall it was a good 3 days, and I was exhausted afterwards, so I went home and took a nap, then woke up and did laundry. I tried to keep my personal experience out of the narrative above, but will insert it here. So, if you were just looking to see what we did, stop reading now. If you want to know some of my personal thoughts and hardships, continue reading.

lighting the campfire

a guy helped a group make this stand to put

dishes and things on out of bamboo. I was impressed

 I am one who doesn't like to sleep on hard surfaces(air mattresses are a wonderful invention), so I packed a bag of blankets and a mat to put on the ground to help me sleep a little better. I may have also packed my HelloKitty doll to hug between me and the ground and used it as padding :) Here's the one you're waiting for I'm sure, the bathroom situation. They had said that they made 2 "toilets" for the girls and 2 for the boys. It turned out to be a hole dug in the ground with a western toilet over one and a squat toilet over the other. They were surrounded by this green see through mesh which I guess was supposed to give some privacy. They were mainly for pooping, however, they often didn't have any water available to wash your business down with, so from the sounds of things they got kind of gross. Let's just say I didn't check them out other than looking at them the first day. I lived on the theory that if I didn't eat too much at each meal I could make it through the 2+ days we spent in the jungle without pooping. Peeing was another story. However, I came up with a plan to go find a bush whenever the students were all gathered in sessions. So, I would wake up between 3 and 4 and go under the cover of darkness, then wait until their camps were being inspected at 7:30. When they were in sessions was another great time to take advantage of them being busy, then at the ceremonies in the evening, and then again before bed under the cover of darkness. It was quite entertaining to go find a place to pee, because by the second day you had to avoid "bombs" as they called them of two varieties, cow and human. Bathing was another interesting scenario, as there was just a river available. I think all the other teachers went home to shower and clean up, but it was at least half an hour home and back, and no one ever invited me to go back with them. So, I had planned ahead and took my bathing suit and my wrap. Thais will just use the wrap to bathe, but I don't find that very comforting, so I wore my bathing suit and both days went while the students were in evening sessions to sit in the river and bathe. The first night a teacher insisted on going with me so I wouldn't be alone, and the second day a child of one of the teachers went with me. It was quite an experience. Other than these few things it was like camping anywhere. We had tents and stayed together, you could walk from one campsite to another. It made me miss family camp at home, going together and doing different things. The biggest problem I found was trying to find time when the bushes weren't filled with people if you know what I mean :) Other than that I would have loved to stay in the jungle longer and enjoyed being away from technology and the busyness that life has. It was a good time to relax and get away for a few days. The first two years I was here, they had camp at the school, and many students said they like it at school better where bathrooms and their own homes are close by. However, I think it was refreshing and good to get away for a few days and enjoy the outdoors. I know where my vote will be in the future. The jungle is the way to go.

preparing for inspection of their campsite

at the closing ceremony

Hilltribe Dress

The students that attend Saha Christian Suksa School come from many different hill tribes and nationalities. Many have come over from Burma years ago because of fighting, and have continued to stay in the area. The picture above was taken last school year on a Friday. Friday at the school is native dress, so everyone is to wear their native clothes. From left to right the dresses are Hmong, Burmese, Karen, and Mon. Missing in this picture but present at the school is Thai. My director insisted on taking this picture last year for me to show people at home the different hill tribes represented at the school.

There are few Hmong students left, they come from about an hours drive away and stay at the school dorm. For a long time there wasn't a good school near where they live, so their parents sent them to live in the dorm. However, now better schools are near where they live, so many have moved back to live with their parents. The Hmong dresses look super hot. They are black almost velvet, and often have bits that are cross stitched in the tiniest little x's I've ever seen. The dresses are super cute, but the students are often shy and prefer to wear Karen dresses like their friends.

There are several Burmese students that attend the school. However, the majority of students from Myanmar(Burma) are Karen or Mon, so while there are a lot of students from Burma, there are few who are actually Burmese. Burmese dresses are beautiful and come in many different forms. The one in this picture is quite plain compared to what some of the other students will wear. However, I'm always impressed with how the students can keep the skirts on all day just by tucking it into itself.

In the middle is Karen, I'm the first one in the long Karen dress, with two students next to me. The Karen in the area have come in two main ways. The first is people coming across the border to seek refuge from fighting and hardship. Once they have established themselves, they will often have their nieces and nephews, or other relatives come over and live with them to get an education. So, you have many students living with distant relatives, and they will rarely get to see their parents, some will go over 3 years before having a chance to return home to see their parents. The other group of Karen have come from Chiang Rai. There is quite a large group of Karen living in Chiang Rai, and so when the school was started 51 years ago, Karen from Chiang Rai area came as missionaries to help establish the mission with the church, school, and hospital, and they have continued to stay in the area. The long white Karen dresses are for single women, and once married the dress changes. The boys are all supposed to wear a red one like the boy in the picture, but they often try to get away with wearing another color.

The last group pictured here is Mon. There is one village of mainly Mon people about 5 kilos outside of town. I think they might have a school there, but it isn't very good, so those that can send their students to this school. I don't know much about them other than this, but their dress is beautiful, and its another one I can't believe the girls can keep the skirts on all day just by tucking it into itself.

The school also has several students that are truly 100% Thai. However, they tend to dress like one of the other groups, usually Karen because it is easier and they blend in then. Many are Thai, Karen mix, and so they wear the Karen dress.

I hope you enjoyed reading a little about the groups represented at our school, if you have any questions, feel free to ask, and I will answer them, or find the answer for you.